Turn signal switch construction



March 4, 1969 L.. T. FUQUA 3,431,373

TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed Sepi- 27, 1966 ATTO RN EY United States Patent Office Patented Mar. 4, 1969 3,431,373 TURN SIGNAL SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Lloyd T. Fuqua, Fortville, Ind., assgnor to General Motors Corporation, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Filed Sept. 27, 1966, Ser. No. 582,286 U.S. Cl. 200-6L34 Int. Cl. H01h 3/02, 3/16 3 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates to a switch structure particularly useful in combination with a turn signal mechanism for selectively energizing the turn signal lamps of a motor vehicle.

Conventional turn signal mechanisms include a support member carrying spaced stationary contacts adapted to be bridged by movable contacts supported by an actuating member. The actuating member is movable relative to the support member from a neutral position -to an operating position on opposite sides of the neutral position to selectively bridge certain of the stationary contacts and energize the appropriate signal lamps.

The prior art turn signal switch structures generally include a plurality of bridging contactors simultaneously movable in a linear or arcuate sliding motion. One of the disadvantages of such a switch structure results from the fact that movement is transferred from the turn signal actuating member by bent-up tangs at the sides of the contactors which tends to cock the contactors and apply uneven pressure on the contact points. This and other disadvantages are obviated by the present invention wherein the contactors are mounted for rotary movement which imparts even pressure to all contact points, reduces the friction occurring in prior ar-t sliding contacts and reduces the number of contacts required to provide the usual functions of a turn signal switch.

A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIGURE-1 is a plan view of a turn signal mechanism with parts broken away;

-FIGURE l2 is a sectional view taken along lines 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a partial view taken along lines 3-3 of FIGURE 2 with parts broken away and showing the switch structure;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4 4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a partial view taken along lines S-S of I FIGURE 3 FIGURE 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6*-6 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the drawings and initially to FIG- URE l, a turn signal mechanism is shown which includes a support or base member 10 surrounding a vehicle steering shaft 12 and pivotally supporting an actuating member 14 to which an operating lever 16 is attached. The actuating member 14 carries cancelling pawls 17 which cooperate with a cam -18 mounted on the steering shaft 12 to return the mechanism to a neutral position from an operating position subsequent to completion of a turn. Detent means are provided for yieldably maintaining the actuating member 14 in either a neutral or an operating position and include a V-shaped surface 20 formed on a housing member 22, a spring 24 and a molded plastic ball 26. The spring =24 is housed within a cup-shaped portion `28 of the actuating member 14. Selective movement of the operating member 16 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction causes the ball 26 to travel on the surface 20 -to the position shown in dotted lines and to maintain the actuating member 14 in such position until automatically returned by cancelling cam 18.

A switch block 30 of insulating material is secured to the support member 10 and as best shown in FIGURE 3 supports stationary contacts 32 through 42. The stationary contacts are adapted to be selectively engaged by bridging contacts -44 and 46 which are provided with radially extending `and downwardly terminating contact fingers 48-52 and 54-58, respectively.

As shown in FIGURES 4 through t6, the switch block 30 rotatably receives a pair of pivot posts 60 and 62 having radially extending arms 64 and 66, respectively. The cup-shaped portion 28 includes a downwardly projecting extension 67 which extends between the arms 64 and 66. The lower portion of the pivot post 60 terminates in a pair of flexible tangs 68 for retaining the pivot post 60 in an opening 70 in the block 30. The entrance portion of the opening 70 has a cloverleafed shape as shown in FIGURE -6 and cooperates with a square-shaped upper portion of the pivot post 460 to limit the rotation of pivot post. The upper portion of the pivot post 60 is received in a square-shaped opening in the bridging contact 44. Springs 72 and y73 bias the bridging contacts 44 and 46, respectively, toward the switch block 30. The pivot post 62 and the bridging contact 46 are similarly assembled in a second opening in 4the switch block 60. A spring 74 has its opposite ends attached to downwardly extending portions of the radially extending arms 64 and 66, respectively to bias the pivot post 60 in a clockwise direction and the pivot post 62 in a counterclockwise direction to a position where the square portion of the pivot posts engage a stopping surface in the openings -70 as shown in FIGURES 3 and y'6. Thus, in the neutral or normal position, the pivot post 60 is prevented from rotation in a clockwise direction and the pivot post 62 is prevented from rotation in a counterclockwise direction. In the neutral position the contacts '32 and 38 are bridged by the contactor 44 while the contacts 32 and 42 are bridged by the contactor 46.

The contacts 40 and 42 are connected to the right front (RF.) and rear (RR.) turn signal lamps while the contacts 36 and 3'8 are connected to the left front (LJF.) and rear (L R.) turn signal lamps. The contact 32 is connected to -a battery 75 through a brake actuated switch 76 while the contact 34 is connected to the battery 75 through a llasher unit 78. If the operator decides to initiate a left turn, the lever 16 is moved in a counterclockwise direction causing the extension 67 to engage the arm I64 and rotate the bridger 44 to the dotted line position bridging contacts 34, 36 and 38 and connecting the lamp L.F. and LR. to the asher 78. The contactor 46 remains in the full line position as shown and upon cancellation of lthe turn signal mechanism the spring 74 returns the pivot post 60 and the bridger 44 to the full line position. Similarly, if the operator wishes to indicate a right hand turn, the lever 16 is rotated in a clockwise direction and the extension 67 engages the arm 66 to move the contactor 46 to a position bridging contacts 34, 40 and 42 and connecting the lamp R.F. and R.R. to the asher 76. The contactor 44 is maintained in its neutral position and upon cancellation of the turn signal mechanism, the bridger 46 is returned to the neutral position by the spring 74. In the neutral position closure of the brake operated switch 76 will connect the lamp L.R. and R.R. to the battery 75. If the brake switch 76 is closed during a turn the rear lamp on the opposite side is constantly energized.

While the invention has been described with regards to a preferred embodiment thereof, this should not be construed in a limiting sense. Modifications and variations will now occur to those skilled in the art. For a deiinition of the invention reference is made to the appended claims.

I claim:

1. .A switch structure comprising an insulating base member, a plurality of spaced stationary contacts sup ported by said base member, iirst and second pivot posts pivotally mounted to said base member and including radially extending arms, rst and second movable contacts for selectively bridging said stationary contacts, said `first and second bridging contacts being carried by said rst and second pivot posts respectively, spring means surrounding said pivot posts and extending between said bridging contacts and said arms to bias said bridging contacts toward said stationary contacts, biasing means including a spring having its opposite ends secured to said radially extending arms for biasing said tirst and second bridging contacts in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction respectively, actuator means for selectively rotating said rst bridging contact in a counterclockwise direction and said second bridging contact in a clockwise direction to bridge certain ones of said stationary contacts.

2. The switch construction defined by claim 1 wherein said base member includes a pair of openings receiving said tirst and second pivot posts, the entrance to each of said openings including surfaces cooperating with the surface of said pivot posts to limit the amount of rotation of said pivot posts.

3. A turn signal switch construction comprising an insulating base member, a plurality of spaced stationary contacts supported by said base member, first and second contact carrier members rotatably supported by said base member about axes transverse to said base member, said base member including means forming predetermined stop positions limiting the rotation of each of said carrier members in both a counterclockwise and a clockwise direction, yfirst and second multi-iingered movable contacts carried by said first and second carrier members respectively, means biasing said movable contacts toward said base members, additional biasing means biasing said carrier members in opposite directions to one of said stop positions whereby certain ones of said stationary contacts are bridged by said movable contacts, actuator means for selectively engaging said carrier members to rotate said carrier members to the other of said stop positions whereby certain other ones of said stationary contacts are bridged by said movable contacts.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/1940 Benson ZOO-61.33 5/ 1945 Krieger 200-6 

